You know the story of Twilight Sparkle. Celestia's unicorn apprentice gets sent to Ponyville, bumps into five friends, recovers the Elements of Harmony, releases the princess's younger sister from a dark enchantment, learns to embody the magic of friendship.
Though, what would it look like if the story wasn't about the original Elements, but their siblings? How would the story of Spike T. Dragon look if he was in his sister's place? If Spike was sent to Ponyville, met some friends, recovered the elements, and saved the day?
Sparkles to Flames is a re-exploration of MLP:FiM with the Mane 6, as well as a couple others, replaced with their siblings or characters close enough to be considered family. It's also a way to explore or expand on some aspects of the show that I personally felt somewhat unsatisfied with, such as Spike's seemingly unique fire. It's also an excuse for me to rewatch the show as a whole. Criticism and corrections are welcome.
Inspired by and originally meant for Nitro Indigo’s Role Swap contest from a bit ago and by this image by Doodle-Mark.
A pretty interesting AU so far, I'm curious to see where this goes. Although there's one detail I think you should know: Cyan is a shade of blue and Zephyr Breeze's coat is clearly a shade of green.
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He is pretty minty, yeah. I just called him cyan since it's one of those colors I keep seeing as an in-between for blue and green, and he kind of tiptoes that same lightly colored line of kind of ambiguous hue to me.
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If we want a real specific color to describe Zephyr by, the My Little Pony Friendship is Magic wiki lists his coat color as a pale aquamarine.
Interesting idea to have the Mane 6 replaced by their siblings, even though when I started reading this, I didn't expect you would reverse their ages as well. And Spike is Luna's assistant in this. I'm interested to see how will you handle more episodes. You have gained a follower for this story.
Can't wait to see what's next.
Amazing story keel up the great work
I have to say, this DOES look like a pretty intriguing start to this series. I love how well you take the differences in character into account, not just with Spike and Twilight (though Spike DOES come of looking like a more mature version of his old self rather than a male dragon version of Twilight, which is an extremely welcome detail), but with ALL the characters. I'm guessing either Luna herself or one of the more powerful unicorns (such as Sunset Shimmer) hatched Spike's egg and Luna then found a responsible family to raise Spike (which would be Night Light and Twilight Velvet, after Shining Armor was born, but before Twilight was). The little references to the series were also well done. Including the foreshadowing nod to Cadance and the bits included in Twilight's bedtime stories. Anyway, I'm guessing Pinkie and Fluttershy weren't there because they are both already adults here (Pinkie because, as Maud was the older sibling in canon [albeit only by a year or two], Pinkie would actually be the older one here and Fluttershy because there was less than a year's age difference between Fluttershy and Zephyr, so even if Fluttershy is the younger one here, she would still be an adult).
On another note, I have a hunch that Twilight, Applejack, Rarity and Rainbow (who hasn't appeared yet, but almost certainly will) are going to be this universe's Cutie Mark Crusaders (though perhaps with the added detail of them also helping out other bullying victims by giving them a wide range of activities to build them up both physically and mentally).
Plus, the reasons for Spike being so scared to mention Nightmare Star's goals being because he didn't want to anger her enough to put all those innocent ponies in immediately danger was another great detail.
Anyway, on to part two.
Again, wonderful job on the action, exchanges, characterizations and future chapter set-up in all the right places. Certainly liked the logical, in-universe reasons for Maud to know about the required book as well as Zephyr to have that cabin right by the Everfree. The logical alterations to the trials were good too. On another note, I DID enjoy Twilight helping Spike out in keeping the fires from Nightmare Star's initial attack under control. So, Filly Twilight is already seeing at least slightly more of the action than canon Spike did at this time.
I also caught the detail that, even though Spike IS at the age that he should have already undergone the molt, he doesn't have his wings yet. Of course, that would have made both the rockslide and the bridge non-issues, so that's acceptable. Plus, he'll probably be getting them toward the end of the Season Three finale anyway.
Definitely going to be looking forward to more of this series.
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You read that faster than I could finish the song on my youtube playlist. You terrify and amaze me.
Read your first comment not ten minutes ago dude, what the heck
Not a bad start, I like how you reworked the challenges to account for the new characters.
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Well, to be fair, I did pick up some stuff I missed in the earlier review so I added that. Plus, those were the second time I read both chapters.
Maybe the analogue to the "Ticket Master" could involve Luna giving Spike and all of his new friends each two tickets to the Gala as a reward for stopping Nightmare Star/reuniting her with her sister and the plot could then involve each of them helping the others in finding somebody trustworthy to give their extra tickets to (except for Spike and Sweetie Belle, who are already taking Twilight and Rarity respectively).
The "Dragonshy" analogue could involve the gang being introduced to Shining Armor and Cadance as Spike tries to help reason with the bigger dragon, well, dragon-to-dragon and Luna sent the latter two as she feels that the Alicorn of Love would have the best chance of reasoning with the dragon peacefully and Shining Armor could set up a force field strong enough to protect his adoptive little brother and his fillyfriend in the event of the negotiations going south.
And the "Bridle Gossip" analogue could involve Spike and his friends shaming most of the town for their fear of a Zebra (Zecora actually already being a friend of Apple Bloom's and has taught her a fair bit about potions and Maud, at least being level-headed enough to not believe the insane negative gossip about Zecora) causing them to treat an actually rather pleasant individual like she is literally worse than Nightmare Star.
Though I will respect if you already have other/better ideas and will profusely apologize for wasting your time.
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That would explain your speed. I'm shocked you'd read this thing more than once though. Thanks!
I'm actually halfway through the first draft for 'The Ticket Master' already, but I might rework the entire episode and use that idea for it instead. I kinda wrote myself into a bit of a roadblock with the premise I've got now.
I haven't thought too much about 'Dragonshy' or 'Bridle Gossip' yet. I've got, like, two notes each for how the events might play out. I'll definitely look into those ideas when I get around to writing those episodes.
You don't need to apologize for writing a comment dude, I love reading 'em, and hearing your ideas.
Interesting take with Spike as the main character here, looking forward to see how the other S1 episodes change with this dynamic!
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Thanks very much. Actually, here's a possible dialogue idea for the "Boast Busters" analogue:
Scootaloo: As an aspiring professional stuntpony, I understand the need to sound as cool as possible and get the crowd worked up, but let's wait to see if she has the talent to back up the bragging. Because it's one thing to talk yourself up, it's another to be able to actually do the things you claim to.
Sweetie Belle: As a professional musician, I have to agree with that, Scoots. Admittedly, the music business has SOME differences from the world of stage magic, but the rules about working up the crowd and having the skills to do what you claim to still apply.
Maud: Well said, girls. If nobody has any objections, let's just sit back and enjoy the show. If it's good, then it wasn't a complete waste of our time. If it isn't good, then at least we only saw it once.
And a possible idea for the "Griffon the Brush-off" analogue (possibly called "Griffon the Green Light"): One of Scootaloo, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle's shared old friends, Gabby comes for a visit while she is also griffon-sitting her adopted cousin Gilda. Gabby, of course, is an extremely good-natured sort - ESPECIALLY for a griffon - though her younger cousin Gilda has had issues with getting picked on by bullies and Gabby is looking for somebody to help her build Gilda up both physically and mentally (so this also combines minor elements of "Call of the Cutie" - as Twilight, Rainbow, Applejack and Rarity all hang with Gilda and try to help her and coming together as this universe's Cutie Mark Crusaders counterparts -, "One Bad Apple" - as it involves helping out a bullying victim - and "the Fault in Our Cutie Marks" - as it involves helping a griffon make friends).
Another possible idea could involve Rainbow Dash (after she, Twilight, Applejack and Rarity come together as the Cutie Mark Crusaders) pulling a wagon to transport her friends (she can already fly pretty well for a Pegasus filly, but hauling around the combined weight of her friends and their supplies builds up her strength and stamina with Rainbow hoping to train herself up well enough to one day make her wings strong enough to break the sound barrier [which doubles as a Mythology Gag AND foreshadowing]. Plus, it allows her to share her love of flying with her three best friends).
Hey, you write what you wanna write when you wanna write it. Don't feel like you have to meet some kind of quota. If you force yourself to write when you don't want to, it'll show.
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I know I'm not really on any sort of deadline, It's just that I'm forcing myself to post this as a way to try and feel more productive than I have been for the last two years. I really do wanna write this though, but most of the ideas I have while I'm writing end up being either entirely unrelated to that episode or would fit better in a different story that I wanna write.
My head gets messy quickly and I have to take a lot of time away from something to sort things out with it, which ends up feeding into my feeling of laziness. Heck, I've rewritten this comment like four separate time already. Really doesn't help that I failed English in my last year either.
Thanks immensely for getting this chapter up. Again, the work that went into the exchanges, characterizations, world-building and future chapter set-up are all well done in all the right places. Particularly liked the bit about Babs having to do Apple Bloom's chores for a week if she lost the bet (which she did) as well as Spike already having a little bit of Gala experience and trying to warn Bloom and Scoots. Also liked the mention of this universe's Mac living with other relatives, the reason for Bloom to be taking Grand Pear and the detail of the kids being picked up from school at noon. The stuff about Twi and Scoots wearing themselves out so much that Twi had trouble staying awake for breakfast was also a rather good detail.
The "Apple Buck Season" analogue (possibly just called "Bucking Season" since this version of the family also works with pears and oranges in addition to apples) could include a reference to Babs being too exhausted from doing Bloom's chores as well as her own for an entire week to help out much during the harvest, which makes Bloom feel a bit too guilty to ask for help. There could also be a little subtle bit of foreshadowing for Zecora's debut with Apple Bloom using some potions to give herself super-strength and super-speed in order to keep up with the harvest on her own (Bloom, of course, learning to make the potions from Zecora). While Bloom DOES manage to get the harvest done in time, the potions she used to do so had the unfortunate side effects of leaving her more than a little loopy and extra exhausted.
The "Winter Wrap-Up" analogue could have Spike making the realization about organization sooner than Twilight did in canon (and also realizing that his years as Luna's assistant have certainly taught him quite a fair bit about organization). There could also be flashbacks to three of Ponyville's biggest past Winter Wrap-Up disasters just to make the need for better organization a bit more clear. Also, there's obviously no rule about Spike also using his dragon strength and flame breath to help out in addition to organization - it's just that the organization is an even bigger help as the dragon strength and flame breath don't go further than maybe two meters at a time.
The "Suited For Success" analogue could involve Coco Pommel being hired to make the Gala outfits for Spike, Zephyr and the girls (Coco being an old friend of Sweetie's who made it big in the fashion business because of Sweetie being so encouraging of her talent and both of them having the sense to steer clear of Suri Polomare in this universe). Zephyr, of course, would be reminded more than a little of his only slightly younger sister Fluttershy when meeting Coco.
The "Owl's Well That Ends Well" analogue could be combined with "May the Best Pet Win" in a way by also including in Rainbow meeting and adopting Tank. Plus, Spike actually picks out Owlicious himself in order to give Twilight some company in the events that he is away on "Elements of Harmony" business.
A refreshing take on "The Ticket Master" (though I have to admit the canon version is still pretty darn fun
).
Fan-freaking-tastic story so far. Hope ya upload soon.
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Same. I'm starting to work up the will to write for this thing again finally. If all goes well writing-wise, I should have a new episode up by next week, possibly tomorrow, along with an explanation for the hiatus.
Back to our irregularly scheduled program.
I'd like to take this moment to remind anyone reading to point out any mistakes I make while writing this thing. This is my first actual fic, I don't have a dedicated editor, all of my writing is usually a spur of the moment type thing, and I'm as dumb as a brick. Please tell me if I messed something up, whether it's a plot hole, typo, or just if I just full on butchered my word choice like a moron. Be mean to me. I can take it.
Also, before anyone asks; yes, I did mean to post Bridle Gossip as the 4th episode. I’m not doing the episodes in order, I’m mostly just writing what feel like I wanna write.
I really wanna do something with Spike’s blue fire, and little pink haired Celestia before she regains her strength and towers over everyone. Well, everypony except Luna I guess.
Look, you don't known an explation to anyone, you write and post whenever you can and feel like it. Besides that, you did a good job on this chapter.
I'm just glad you're okay. Sometimes, life gets in the way and these things happen.
Good chapter
I have to admit, that this IS a really good spin on "Bridle Gossip". It may have taken a while, but it was quite well worth the wait. Definitely loved the work that went into the exchanges, characterizations and future chapter set-up in all the right places. Can definitely understand why young Twilight would end up finding Ponyville's school system boringly easy as well as the reflection on Applejack (and the at least presently passing reference to Rainbow Dash) before Twi found out about Zecora. And, yeah, great bit about Apple Bloom and Zecora already knowing each other in this universe as well as Applejack finding out that trying to escape from Twilight when she was in "scientific study" mode was frustratingly hard. The poison joke effects on Spike and his friends were certainly well done as well as Zecora acknowledging her own "Poison Joke" experience.
VERY MUCH looking forward to more of this, but I'll certainly be willing to wait. Quality over speed, after all.
Changed the note in the author's section to be from Twilight's POV rather than Spike's, since it was a more Twilight centered episode. It might be kinda hard to read in Night Mode since I used her mane color rather than her coat or eye color.
I'm also gonna go back and add a 'next time' bit in the first chapter, just so I have all the colors for the swapped Mane 6 established.
It suddenly occurs to me that people might not know who Nightmare Star is or why I didn’t use Daybreaker. NS is an old nightmare version of Celestia from the MLP trading card game. I used her instead of DB because she’s supposed to be the real Celestia, where DB was a figment of Starlight’s unconscious mind.
I might bring Daybreaker back in place of the tantabus though. Might not. Depends on if I figure out how, tbh. I really wanna give her a cameo.
Here’s the card she’s from in case anyone is interested.
Purely out of curiosity, now that I've set up that Spike wants to practice with the ability I totally didn't forget to name when I started writing this fic, what do you want to see next with it? I'm wanting to do an episode purely with him messing with his 'dragonflame', as you can probably tell with this chapter, but I'm not sure if I should... wait, hold on.
That's better. Now, as I was saying. I'm not sure if I should write about him practicing with the three colors he has now, amber, emerald, and sapphire, or if I want to bring in one of the three other colors we saw used in the show, or if I want him to figure out the how to mix his flames, like we saw in the show a few times. He hasn't really used his orange flames very much after all, the flame that dragons are known for. If you read this, what kind of fire should Spike focus on when/if I get around to writing a practice episode?
On an entirely unrelated note, I'm starting to replay Pokemon Platinum for the first time in a while and was thinking about starting a nuzlocke. Would anyone be interested in reading about my run if I pony-fied it?
Also, if you have any suggestions for a different name for this chapter, I am literally begging you to tell me it. I am cataclysmically bad with names and titles and junk like that, as you can probably tell. That's why I haven't changed any of the chapter titles from the episodes they were based on.
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I have some name suggestions for this chapter:
Burning Questions - Extra Episode.
Magical Flame Discoveries - Extra Episode.
Curses and Magic - Extra Episode.
That's all I could come up with. Hope this helps you with the title.
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I really like that first one but I feel like it would be better put to use on a chapter that revolves exclusively around the dragonflame, or maybe an interview with Celestia or something of that nature. I'm definitely keeping that in my back pocket for something in the future. The last one might work though, since it's supposed to be an alternate POV for Bridle Gossip. I'll change it when I'm done with these last minute edits.
Thanks!
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Glad to know that!
Hey there. Thanks immensely for getting this next chapter up. Definitely appreciated the extra POV to the immediately previous episode. Spike's reflecting on the abilities he developed with his breath (including the most recent one in the fight with Nightmare Star) was great, as was his checking with his friends when looking for Twilight. The greater detail on the Poison Joke affects was wonderfully done as well.
Very much looking forward to more of this.
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You really don't need to thank me for anything. This fic is still marked as Incomplete, getting a chapter out should be expected as the bare minimum. Honestly, I should thank you every time you comment. I thrive on comments like yours, dude. Everything in your little spoiler boxes always give me ideas, even when they're just a quick review of what was in the chapter.
Wasn't expecting this, but it was an interesting alternative perspective. Maybe there could be more of these for future installments.
Good chapter
I wish I had the skill and mental capacity to make this chapter longer. I don't like going below 3k words. I was looking forward to this episode since before November too... I really like Gabby, but I really didn't want to go longer than a week without posting something. I'll have to make it up to her in another episode I suppose.
Maybe I'll write up some mini episodes or something. Justify the delay to myself with shorts. Not all that sure what I could do as a 'short' though...
Anyway, I wanna thank Comickook for the idea of switching Gilda for Gabby. That led me down a rabbit hole of ideas that started with me switching out the Young 6, which I originally didn't think about, but is probably gonna have some noticeable effects on stories involving their siblings. Mostly Smolder I think, who was probably my favorite character from the original Young 6 because I thought her big sister type of behavior with Spike in 'Father Knows Beast' was adorable.
Good chapter
Boy am I gonna get real confused reading this. Interesting idea, though, for sure.
Splendid work on this latest chapter. Definitely loved the effort you put into the exchanges, characterizations and future chapter set-up in all the right places. I especially thank you for liking one of my ideas enough to do something loosely based on it.
Greatly enjoyed Gabby showing up and meeting Spike, as well as Scootaloo, Apple Bloom and Sweetie explaining how they knew Gabby already. Definitely liked Spike reflecting on the last time he actually met a griffon and how Twilight meeting and befriending other species could be very helpful to her development. Also loved the nod to Cadance and mentioning that she would be fine with sitting for AJ and Rarity as well as Twilight long as Cadance were told ahead of time. My favorite part, though, had to be Maud bonding with Gabby and the discussion on Pinkie's whereabouts.
Plus, yeah, love the idea of an older Smolder trying to be a responsible sibling to Garble as well as befriending Spike. Yeah, Smolder being the older sibling might provide Garble with a more positive example and more encouragement on his fondness for poetry, so Garble would actually be at least slightly less of a jerk at first, which would be good for Twilight, Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow getting to know dragons besides Spike and maybe even good for providing Gilda with another friend down the road.
And the stuff about Pinkie being part of a circus? Definitely makes sense, especially if she still inspired Cheese Sandwich like in canon. Cheese being part of a circus too would combine the best of him getting to already know Pinkie (if they were in the same circus) and getting to travel a lot. So, yeah, Pinkie and Cheese already being very good friends (just one admission either way from being coltfriend/fillyfriend) would be downright great.
But I digress.
At any rate, very certainly looking forward to more of this.
11090983 Don't feel pressured to make chapters longer just because you want them to be longer. Write what you wanna write when you wanna write it.
Hey there. Thanks very much for getting this next chapter up. It took a while, but was quite worth the wait. VERY much appreciated the bits of world-building in the letters Spike and Celestia exchanged (even if I had to use highlights to read Celestia's letters, some of the stuff Celestia mentioned concerning dragon types and the types of flame breath indicates at least some need for secrecy anyway) and I can understand that Celestia is still feeling too ashamed of her past actions to reclaim her old role as a co-Princess.
Anyway, definitely looking forward to more of this story when you can find the time and inspiration.
I wonder. what qualifies spike to be luna's student if twilight is still the smarter, more curious of the pair
The fact that the chapters are still coming out says a lot and I'm glad that you didn't abandon the fics, but simply postponed it for a while and maybe we can see new chapters more regularly.
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I really could not have picked worse colors to use for letters and dreams. I will ruin the light mode experience AND the dark mode experience at the same time.
Good work so far, can't wait to see more!!